Hi,
just wondering what is a must buy in Myanmar?

For example in Hanoi, they are famous for their home decorative items made from wood.

So what about Myanmar?

Rubies if you know how to distinguish what's nice. I have a friend who bought ' sirap bandung' colour and looks nice.

Thanks. Actually I was hoping more of a home deco stuff instead of jewelery

Yangon got much ntg to see eventhough is a capital, development there is slow, many workforce stil depend on human labour. 1day stay in Yangon is enough, or else u can just go to mandalay for 1 night and then move to bagan for the rest of the days, Bagan is worth to visit. Scenery there is amazing.

Planning to make a visit to Yangon something in Nov/Dec. Most probbly 4d/3N. Do not intend to travel far off from Yangon.
Suggestions are most appreciated from those who have visited here. Thanks.

Hi guys, for those who've visited Myanmar, how/where do you make your calls home/abroad? Read that it's not really possible for their local sim to call abroad.

Sorry for asking a dumb question. >.< Just wanna know.

Just to reconfirm ...

Do we , Malaysian , need to have a VISA to enter Myanmar ? ( They are part of ASEAN, so under ASEAN treaty no need ? )

Will be going soon in Nov.

As for the SIM card, don't think you can get it there. So you may try to look for a cyber cafe ( Again not so common ) and Message .

Visa is needed for malaysians visiting Myanmar!

Also do be aware that an airport tax of usd10per person is needed to be paid at the airport for international departure.

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Added on September 25, 2011, 7:42 pmThe last time me and my frens were there, both maxis and dig's int roaming no line there. So the only method of contacting was thru the Internet haha. Also, most locals in Myanmar dun hav phones, and it is too expensive for them. Dun think it will be easy to get sim card haha. But I am sure you can make int calls thru their public phones or at those 5 stars hotels although the prices can be steeeeep. Charges starts already when you start dialing regardless whether the other party you are trying to call has picked up the phone or not in some hotels.

This post has been edited by hosoki: Sep 25 2011, 07:42 PM

Hi Hosoki, thank you so much for your reply!

I have this piece of advise for those going there. Do not change any money at the airport. You will thank me a thousand times for telling you that.

hi guys need some advice. I will be staying in nay pyi daw for almost two months for work. anyone have experience there? kindly share. Hows their internet services? is it ok? as the only way for me to call seems to be through skype. any advice will be much appreciated

ruby and jade

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Added on October 6, 2011, 10:12 amtotally agree

change with local or hotel

This post has been edited by hmchan911: Oct 6 2011, 10:12 AM

http://www.roadtomandalay.com/crafts/teakwood_carvings..htm


try mandalay for home deco

Thanks for the advice. How about banks? Can you tell me their rough rates?

Don't ever consider the bank. You will want to kill yourself if you do. Hotel rate is 100+ times better. No joke three digit difference. No mistake with my mathematics.

Bring US dollar.


This post has been edited by Optiplex330: Nov 2 2011, 11:00 PM

The better bet will be on those hotel, the rate are quite good. For those invidual runner at the road site, alot of them look like bangladesh peole with tanne skin, i have no confident exchange money with them, scare they will raise a knife when no others peope around. The better place is the BY Market opposite the Centra Hotel, have a few jewelly shop c/w money exchange, is the best rate i found in Yangon, you may suprise, one of the money exchange accept RM as well.

Btw, the Yangon money exchange very particular the note apperance, slightly tear-off on middle, they wouldnot accept yrs note, USD1, 5, 10 have different rate as compare to USD50, 100 note, the bigger the note amount, the better the rate.

Just back from Myanmar last week.

The exchange rate form US to Kyat = 780/ us $ ( 1 st week nov 2011 ) and depends on the US Notes ( 100 = highest rate, 20 & 50 = lower , 10 5 and 1 = lowest rate )

As for currencies exchange, there is now a BIG change. Banks are now offering VERY competative US to Kyat rates. I found it better than those offered by Bogyoke market.

Check out "Asia Green Development Bank" at 143 - 149, Sule Pagoda road. (Between Traders Hotel and Sule Pagoda). Please bring your passport to exchange currencies.

Plus it is safer than "money exchangers" on the road or in the market. Did both methods, suggest you stick with the bank . Conmen are everywhere in Myanmar !!!

Again a REMINDER :- Your US currencies MUST be CRISP and CLEAN, else it won't be accepted at ALL.

Last time, you needed USD10 for airport tax so please keep your best & cleanest looking USD10 notes for the airport. Just imagine if that's your last note and they don't accept because it's dirty

OH wow, thank you all for the tips, if that's the case I better prepare some big big USD notes x..x

I'm finally starting to plan my trip 7d8n now, planning to do Yangon, Inle Lake, Bagan and Mandalay, travelling mainly by train, is it do-able? Anyone tried this before?

Btw........ is the food there expensive? Thanks a lot!

Yup! Change it outside the airport with your tour guide, etc They only accept USD though, and no point bringing their currency out from Myanmar, spend them all there as their currency is not trade-able outside the country. Mickey Mouse currency,our tour guide said.

Changed it 800 kyat (pronounced chaaat) per USD as of 2011

Go to Myanmar to see something 'new' and go with an open mind and don't expect first world infrastructure. They are rich in culture but sad to see how a government can hamper the development to such a large extent. A fresh uni grad can only earn the equivalent of RM150 over there, hence many hold 2 or 3 jobs just to survive - many become tour guides as the tips they earn far exceed RM150 each month for sure! And during the off peak season, some become salesmen or hold different jobs for that few months (rainy season). Most come over to our country and more developed countries as our RM1,500 basic salary is like 10 times their basic salary over there.

I know I came back with a greater appreciation for what we have over here in Malaysia.

This post has been edited by etsy3699: Apr 20 2012, 05:10 PM